Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The number of people living in acute multidimensional poverty has risen to 1.2 billion for the first time since the global index was launched in 2010, according to a new United Nations report, highlighting the continuing struggle of millions of families to access basic necessities. The findings were published on October 12 in the 2026 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), prepared by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) at the University of Oxford.

The report estimates that 1.2 billion people across 108 developing countries are experiencing overlapping deprivations in health, education and living standards. This represents 18.9 percent of the 6.3 billion people covered by the study. The number is 51.5 million higher than in the previous update on a comparable basis, marking the first increase recorded since the index was introduced in 2010.

Children account for more than half of those living in multidimensional poverty. The report estimates that approximately 617 million children are affected, while 83 percent of all people experiencing multidimensional poverty live in rural areas. The findings underscore how poverty extends beyond household income. Families may face several disadvantages simultaneously, including inadequate nutrition, limited access to education, unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation and a lack of electricity.

UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo described the increase as a wake-up call for the international community, stressing that millions of people continue to endure hardships that reinforce one another. The report also highlights the importance of coordinated policies that address health, education and living conditions together rather than treating poverty as an income problem alone.

Despite the overall increase, the report points to examples of meaningful progress. Among 89 countries with data suitable for measuring trends, 33 reduced their multidimensional poverty index values by at least half in fewer than 15 years. The latest update also found mixed results among the 13 countries with newly updated estimates. Some countries recorded significant improvements, demonstrating that sustained policy efforts can reduce deprivation even in challenging circumstances.

The index uses household survey data to measure disadvantages across health, education and living standards. A person is classified as multidimensionally poor when their household experiences deprivation in at least one-third of the index’s weighted indicators. The findings reinforce the urgency of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of substantially reducing poverty in all its forms by 2030. The report calls attention to the need for targeted investment, stronger public services and coordinated action to ensure that vulnerable communities are not left behind.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain severe as shortages of medical supplies, damaged infrastructure and obstacles to reconstruction continue to challenge efforts to restore essential services.

The United Nations and its humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that Gaza’s health system remains under enormous pressure. In a UN Geneva briefing earlier this month, the World Health Organization said that no hospital in Gaza was fully functional, citing chronic shortages of medicines and medical equipment.

WHO said medical supplies can face lengthy approval procedures before entering Gaza. According to the agency, medical shipments had waited a median of 74 days for approval, while some equipment had been repeatedly rejected or delayed.

The consequences extend beyond hospitals. Without adequate diagnostic equipment and laboratory supplies, health authorities face greater difficulty identifying and responding to disease outbreaks. The humanitarian situation is also tied closely to the enormous scale of physical destruction.

A recent UN Trade and Development assessment estimated that Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction needs have reached approximately $71.5 billion. The assessment, based on work by the World Bank, European Union and United Nations, estimated physical infrastructure damage at $35.2 billion and economic and social losses at $22.7 billion as of early 2026.

Housing represents the largest category of damage and reconstruction needs. Educational and healthcare facilities have also suffered extensive damage, with more than half of hospitals and primary healthcare clinics reported as non-functional in the assessment.

Agriculture has been severely affected as well. UNCTAD reported that less than 1.5% of Gaza’s cropland remained accessible and undamaged, increasing dependence on humanitarian food assistance.

The humanitarian crisis is unfolding alongside continuing political disputes over Gaza’s future, security arrangements, disarmament and reconstruction.

A Washington Post report published Thursday said reconstruction remains largely stalled despite a U.S.-backed framework, citing disagreements over implementation and security arrangements. The report said hundreds of thousands of Palestinians continue to live amid extensive destruction and inadequate infrastructure.

For international aid agencies, the challenge is therefore twofold: providing immediate assistance while establishing conditions that allow Gaza’s basic infrastructure and economy to recover.

UNCTAD said large-scale international financial and technical assistance will be required for recovery. It identified rebuilding agriculture, industry, construction, energy and technology as important elements of longer-term economic recovery.

The UN’s humanitarian agencies continue to call for predictable and sufficient access for medical and humanitarian supplies, warning that the scale of need remains far greater than current response capacity.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York – United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned Monday that the world is running out of time to establish safeguards for artificial intelligence, as a rapid race among companies and governments to develop increasingly powerful systems raises concerns about human rights, security and human safety.

Speaking at an AI and Human Rights Summit in Oxford, Türk said artificial intelligence could deliver major advances in science, health, education and human rights. But he warned that the technology is increasingly being developed and controlled by a small number of companies and governments, with limited public oversight.

He said AI systems are already capable of actions that their creators cannot fully predict or manage. Türk warned that artificial intelligence could undermine equality, freedom, privacy and public debate in ways that may initially go unnoticed. He said AI-driven systems could potentially affect people’s access to essential services, including communications, clean water, heating and financial services.

The UN rights chief called for urgent measures to prevent machines from making decisions over life and death, particularly as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly important in warfare.

He also raised concerns about the effect of AI on education, citing studies suggesting that students who rely heavily on the technology may retain less information and think less independently. Türk questioned whether society could reach a point where people are unable to understand, challenge or effectively guide increasingly sophisticated AI systems.

The warning came as officials in New York City were also examining the risks posed by artificial intelligence. The New York City Council held a Committee of the Whole hearing Monday as it considers 10 bills aimed at regulating AI. Representatives from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and Meta were among those providing testimony.

Türk called for mandatory human rights safeguards and due diligence in the development and use of AI. He said countries that host AI companies or have influence over their supply chains should require responsible practices and hold companies accountable when they fail to meet those standards.

He acknowledged that existing laws cannot address every emerging AI challenge, saying some areas may require new legal approaches. In the meantime, he urged governments to strengthen rules governing liability, cybersecurity and data protection.

Türk also called for greater international cooperation on AI security, independent monitoring of the industry and stronger participation by civil society and people whose rights are affected by AI systems.

He welcomed recent international initiatives, including the Global Dialogue on AI Governance and the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI. He also pointed to a joint call for tighter controls on frontier AI models supported by 29 countries and the European Union.

The UN official said recent voluntary commitments by AI companies on safeguards, self-regulation and risk assessment represented some progress, but warned that commitments must be followed by concrete action.

“Too few are walking the talk,” Türk said. He said the international community could no longer afford to wait for voluntary action or rely solely on goodwill.

“If we fail to move quickly,” Türk warned, “we risk unforeseeable consequences — for ourselves and future generations.”

GENEVA — The United Nations Human Rights Council on Monday unanimously called on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to repeal policies restricting the fundamental rights and freedoms of women and girls, warning that the country’s institutionalized discrimination has reached an alarming level.

The 47-member council adopted the resolution without a vote, expressing serious concern over what it described as the “grave, worsening, widespread and systematic oppression” of women and girls under Taliban rule.

The resolution condemned what the council called the Taliban’s institutionalization of discrimination, segregation and exclusion of women and girls, as well as restrictions affecting their dignity and participation in public life.

The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 and subsequently introduced a series of measures based on its interpretation of Islamic law. The restrictions have particularly affected women and girls, including limits on employment, access to public spaces and education.

Girls have been barred from attending secondary schools beyond approximately the age of 12, while women have faced restrictions on employment and access to various public places, including parks.

The council said it was deeply concerned by what it described as the continuing and systematic erosion of women’s rights in Afghanistan. It said the Taliban had imposed an expanding network of decrees and institutional controls that had affected many aspects of both public and private life.

According to the resolution, the measures have contributed to a society marked by what the council described as “ideological conformity, fear and exclusion.”

The council called on the Taliban to repeal policies and practices restricting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls, including their rights to education, employment, peaceful assembly and political participation.

It also urged the international community to take human rights and fundamental freedoms into account in its engagement with authorities and other stakeholders in Afghanistan.

The resolution condemned discrimination against women and girls and expressed concern over other alleged human rights abuses in the country, including sexual slavery of boys, child marriage and forced marriage.

The council also voiced concern over what it described as deeply entrenched impunity in Afghanistan and expressed sympathy for the suffering of the Afghan population.

The resolution was introduced by a group of 37 European countries, together with Canada and Chile. The council also voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations independent special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan for another year.

The resolution adds to continuing international pressure on the Taliban over its treatment of women and girls. While the Taliban authorities have sought greater international engagement since returning to power, their restrictions on women’s rights remain a major obstacle in relations with much of the international community.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United Nations is warning of serious humanitarian and health risks in Gaza as winter approaches, with millions of Palestinians facing inadequate shelter, shortages of essential medical supplies and the growing threat of flooding. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on October 2 that repeated delays in bringing lifesaving medicines, prosthetics and other medical supplies into Gaza are putting people in urgent need of care at risk. WHO said almost 2 million people need shelter to protect them from cold weather and flooding, while humanitarian organizations continue to face difficulties bringing winterization and shelter supplies into the territory.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), funding shortages and restrictions are severely limiting preparations for the rainy season. A recent OCHA assessment identified 451 displacement sites at high risk of flooding, hosting an estimated 464,402 people. WHO’s representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory said that, as of October 2, no hospital in Gaza was fully functional, citing chronic shortages of medicines and medical supplies. WHO said large quantities of medical supplies have been waiting for clearance for a median of 74 days, creating significant delays in delivering healthcare assistance.

The UN has called for the unimpeded and predictable entry of humanitarian and health supplies at scale, as well as a system allowing aid to enter through multiple crossings. WHO officials also called for clearer procedures for the approval of humanitarian shipments to reduce delays and rejected consignments. The winter preparations come as Gaza continues to face severe infrastructure and humanitarian challenges. An OCHA report published in September said shortages of cancer medicines, chemotherapy and radiotherapy supplies, dialysis materials, insulin and other essential items were disrupting lifesaving health services.

The UN has also warned that damaged infrastructure and overcrowded displacement sites are increasing the risks associated with heavy rain and flooding. Earlier OCHA reporting said humanitarian efforts to prepare for winter were being constrained by funding shortages, restrictions on supplies entering Gaza and shortages of fuel, engine oil, spare parts and heavy machinery.

A UN report issued in September similarly called for urgent action to restore essential services in Gaza, including electricity, water, sanitation, waste management and healthcare. It described winterization as an urgent priority because shelter needs remain extensive while essential supplies and services remain severely constrained.

The UN’s latest warnings underscore the scale of the challenge facing humanitarian agencies as winter approaches, particularly for displaced families living in damaged buildings, tents and other inadequate shelters.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: The world remains far from fulfilling the commitments made 25 years ago to end racial discrimination, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Irene Khan, said Monday. Khan made the remarks at a high-level event at the United Nations marking the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA).

The ambassador said the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action adopted 25 years ago made a clear commitment that no person should face discrimination on the basis of race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin. However, she said the world remains far from fully implementing that commitment.

Khan reaffirmed Bangladesh’s strong commitment to the full and effective implementation of the DDPA. She called for greater efforts in justice, education, development and international cooperation to address structural discrimination rooted in slavery, colonialism and other historical injustices. She also stressed the need to strengthen protection of the rights of migrants, refugees, forcibly displaced people, minorities, women, children and others in vulnerable situations.

Addressing the issue of artificial intelligence, Khan said emerging technologies should be used to advance sustainable development rather than spread hatred and incitement to violence. She also stressed the need to ensure that human rights, equality and non-discrimination are protected in the development of artificial intelligence.

“Bangladesh is committed to building a world where the diversity and dignity of all people are upheld, both online and offline,” Khan said.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York – Bangladesh has called for an extended preparatory period before graduating from the least developed country (LDC) category, saying additional time would help ensure a smooth and sustainable transition and build a more resilient post-graduation economy.

“For Bangladesh, an extended preparatory period will support a smooth, sustainable and irreversible graduation and a resilient post-graduation economy,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir told the annual ministerial meeting of LDC foreign ministers at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. He also sought the continued support of the LDC Group as Bangladesh’s request is considered by the United Nations General Assembly.

Kabir said graduating countries need additional time to maintain macroeconomic stability, undertake critical reforms and implement effective transition strategies. Looking ahead to the midterm review of the Doha Programme of Action, he outlined six priorities for LDCs, including reversing the decline in official development assistance, expanding access to concessional financing, improving market access and securing predictable climate finance for adaptation and loss and damage.

He also called for stronger international cooperation to combat illicit financial flows and recover stolen assets, while urging greater support for industrialisation, technology transfer and digital inclusion.

“Geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, debt distress, declining ODA, food and energy insecurity and climate crisis are testing our resilience,” Kabir said. He noted that economic growth among LDCs remained below the seven-percent target, with growth projected at 4.6 percent in 2026 and five percent in 2027. The State Minister said Bangladesh’s “3R” strategy — Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction — was aimed at laying the foundation for sustainable development.

He thanked Nepal for its leadership as chair of the LDC Group, expressed solidarity with the country following a recent natural disaster and welcomed The Gambia as the incoming chair. Bangladesh’s call for additional preparation time comes as the country seeks to address the economic and structural challenges associated with its transition out of the LDC category while maintaining long-term development momentum.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman today joined a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for world leaders and their spouses attending the 81st UN General Assembly. They attended the breakfast at the North Delegates Lounge of the UN Headquarters here at 8:00 am (New Work time). The event marked the beginning of the Prime Minister’s busy official engagements at the United Nations during his visit to New York to attend the UNGA session.

After the breakfast, the Prime Minister will join the opening segment of the 81st UNGA session at the General Assembly Hall at 9am local time, where heads of state and government from different countries will be present.

According to his schedule, Tarique Rahman will address the general debate of the session on September 24. It will be his maiden address to the United Nations as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and he is scheduled to deliver the speech in Bangla, in line with the country’s tradition. On the sidelines of the UNGA session, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold bilateral and courtesy meetings with several heads of government and leaders of international organisations.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United States has paid $725 million to the United Nations, reducing its outstanding financial obligations to the world body and ensuring that Washington retains its voting rights in the UN General Assembly. The payment comes just days before world leaders are due to gather in New York for the annual General Assembly session.

The United Nations said the United States transferred $725 million for the organization’s regular budget on Tuesday. Washington also paid an additional $102 million toward UN peacekeeping operations on Friday. Despite the latest payments, the United States still owes approximately $1.312 billion to the UN regular budget, according to UN spokesperson Farhan Haq.

The payment also removes the immediate risk that the United States could lose its voting rights under Article 19 of the UN Charter. The provision says a member state can lose its vote in the General Assembly when its arrears reach or exceed the amount of contributions due for the preceding two full years, although the General Assembly can grant an exception in certain circumstances.

The United States is the largest contributor to the UN budget, but the Trump administration has criticized the organization and reduced or delayed funding to various UN agencies. Washington has also pushed for reforms and cost reductions across the UN system.

The latest payment comes as the United Nations faces continuing financial pressure and implements its “UN80” reform and cost-cutting initiative. China, the UN’s second-largest contributor, paid $641.4 million toward its regular budget contribution earlier this month, according to UN figures cited by Reuters. The U.S. payment means Washington will retain its vote as the 2026 UN General Assembly prepares to convene in New York next week, while the broader dispute over U.S. funding and UN reforms remains unresolved.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a major overhaul of the international system, saying the institutions created after the Second World War must change to reflect the growing economic and geopolitical influence of emerging economies. Speaking to leaders at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday, Guterres said the world of today is fundamentally different from that of 1945 and that global institutions must reflect current economic, demographic and geopolitical realities.

“Today’s economic, demographic and geopolitical realities are not those of 1945,” Guterres said. “Our institutional structures must reflect it.”

He said the countries represented at the summit reflected the changing balance of global power and pointed to the emergence of an increasingly multipolar world. Guterres argued that multipolarity can bring greater balance and equity to international institutions, but said that would require reforms to bodies including the UN Security Council and the Bretton Woods institutions.

The UN chief outlined four priorities for what he described as inclusive global growth: financing, technology, climate justice and peace. On development financing, Guterres said developing countries need substantial international support to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. He urged multilateral development banks to become “bigger, better and bolder” to help meet the scale of financing required. Turning to artificial intelligence, he warned that the benefits of the technology remain concentrated among a relatively small number of companies and countries.

“Unchecked, the AI divide will widen every other divide — in income, in opportunity, in security, and in sovereignty,” Guterres warned.

Climate change was another major focus of his address. Guterres pointed to extreme heat, melting glaciers, wildfires and devastating floods as signs of the worsening climate crisis and warned that a stronger El Niño could make conditions even more difficult as the world approaches the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold above pre-industrial levels.

He called on wealthy nations to honor existing climate-finance commitments, including increased adaptation financing and stronger support for countries facing loss and damage. He also criticized the exploitation of critical minerals, calling for an end to what he described as “plundering.”

On peace and security, Guterres highlighted conflicts and crises in Gaza, the wider Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan. He urged countries to uphold the UN Charter, including the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Guterres said reforming the international system should be viewed as a shared responsibility rather than a concession to emerging powers.

“As we move irreversibly to a multipolar world, all countries must work to strengthen and safeguard a multilateral system that delivers for all with the United Nations at its centre,” he said.

The BRICS summit, hosted by India, brought together leaders of major emerging economies and senior international officials as discussions focused on global governance, economic cooperation, development, technology, climate change and international peace and security.